A Nod To The Cowboys

A Nod To The Cowboy

When I flicked through my beloved ELLE magazines and saw the latest trends my instant thought was "really, flares... Not a chance" "suede, I don't think that's particularly practical". But I mulled the idea over and have been converted. From the 70s influences, the cowboys and the hippies, I tip my hat to the trend. Last week I purchased my first piece, a gorgeous zip front A-line suede skirt from M&S and I'm in love with it. Paired with plain black tee and my denim shirt it's the perfect summer piece, smart enough for the office but will be fun for the weekends.

Check out my latest Pinterest board to see my inspiration and what I love about this trend.

Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty

I don't think there are enough adjectives in the English language for me to express how amazing the Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty exhibition at the V&A is. I was totally mind blown by the whole experience. 

I always expect great things for exhibitions, the clothes on display are lavish and the photographs are fantastic. But what I saw at the Savage Beauty exhibition was nothing short of theatre. Each room you went into told a different story, mixing his collections but ultimately the themes focused on one of the strongest catwalk shows of his time. There was definitely an overriding quite deeply disturbing vibe throughout the exhibition which reflects the life McQueen lived and how he became inspired for his collections.

My highlights of the exhibition would have to be:

'Cabinet of Curiosities' - A beautiful room full of nooks and crannies showing of the exquisite gowns, headdresses, shoes, bodices and so much more. It felt like you were walking into the set of one of the Harry Potter films. In the middle of the room was the finished "paint dress" spinning around as it did in the catwalk show where it became painted by mechanic arms. That's a true work of art.

 

'The Window of Culloden' - I don't know if anything has ever quite taken my breath away like this illusion of Kate Moss, suspended like a ghost in a prism. The room just became quiet whilst watching her move so gracefully and looking so serene. It was a recreation of the 2006 show where Kate was projected across the catwalk as a hologram, looking just like a ghost.

'Plato's Atlantis' - This is the last full collection that Alexander McQueen created before his death in 2010. It's a vision of the future and my favourite collection. The digitally engineered prints of sea creatures, jellyfish and the huge armadillo skin boots feel very modern and 'out of this world'. To see the army of dresses side by side was a dream, I definitely can see myself rocking one of the dresses for a night out... Right?

 

 

Unfortunately you can't take photos in the exhibition but as it was a birthday day out I was treated to the exceptionally beautiful book that accompanies the exhibition. This is definitely a coffee table book, it's a heavy weight, indulgent page turner. Filled with beautiful pictures of backstage, the designs, catwalk shows and McQueens life. It's a beautiful memoir to celebrate his life and his work. It will defitnley be centre stage on my coffee table (one day when I get that beautiful Notting Hill home that I dream of). I highly recommend that you go book tickets right now to witness this fabulous collection (before it finishes at the beginning of August) which has been pulled together and presented in the most wondrous of ways.

 

I leave, breathless and inspired.

 

"I think there is beauty in everything. What "normal" people would perceive as ugly, I can usually see something of beauty in it." - Alexander McQueen

 

 

 

 

Friday Feeling

 

I have definitely got that 'Friday Feeling' today. This week I have worked hard, I've worked out and I have got a result! Keeping it hush-hush for now but it is safe to say I am very excited for things to come. Oh and bonus, this time next week I'll be in KL on my stop over before I reach beautiful Bali to reunite with my friends. So now to enjoy some sunshine and the weekend with some tasty chocolates and my favourite magazine. Yes, today is definitely a dance-around-the-room Friday Feeling. 

Beach Vibes

 

 

 

 

 



This week I've been lusting over blue skies and beaches, pinning them on my moodboards. In two weeks time I will be on my way to Bali with my closest friends, to get some well deserved R&R. All I can think about is lying on the beach, under the palm trees watching the tide roll in. In Spring I love fresh flowers, light and breezy days and most of all time spent outdoors with my loved ones; beach optional.

 

I have also discovered some new bloggers/instagramers who I can't get enough off, I have spent hours scrolling through all their gorgeous images and think you should too! Rebekah Steen posts the most beautiful pictures of her beach lifestyle. I wish I could live like that everyday, the sound of the waves, the breeze in my hair and the sand between my toes. That is the dream. Shea Marie is the epitome of a beautiful girl, with perfect style and a desirable lifestyle. I would love every item in her wardrobe and to be able to photograph so well. Check out some of her images from Fashion Weeks around the globe.

 

You can see all my mood boards here

COACH

I could ramble on for hours about Coach and their history, their collections and their bags (the Swagger... yes please!). To try shelf some of my ramblings I will just have a little outburst of love for the latest SS15 collection and a quick whisper of that AW15 presentation at New York Fashion Week.

Under the new direction of creative director Stuart Vevers, the brand has gone from strength to strength in just two years. Coach had it's debut presentation at NYFW last February and since has blossomed. We could have predicted that his designs would be a sell-out, after all he is the man who brought us Bayswater, Emmy and Gisele when he was at the helm of Mulberry as well as reinventing some of the classics at Loewe.

After seeing the latest campaign in all my magazines and reading about the brand in 'The IT Bag Superhero" article in ELLE (March 2015) I have been completely obsessed. Something about the simplicity of the campaign really spoke to me. Pastel colours are always a win and to have a classic IT bag at that more affordable luxury price range is just perfect. Just this weekend The Sunday Times had a article dedicated to the '300 club', applauding luxury designers for some of their pieces being in reach of the average working class women. We don't all earn thousands, we can't justify saving up for three months just for that £1000+ handbag, so for me to see that the Coach Swagger Bag is retailing between £325-£475 gives me hope that I can actually invest in a luxury bag, without completing draining my bank.

This latest Spring/Summer collection combines the subcultures of music, skate and surf. As always, inspired by the streets of New York, the brand stays true to its heritage, exploring luxury and street-wear. They define the collection as 'A journey across America', the dreamer, the optimist, the ideals of spontaneity and an effortless cool. The new Swagger bag is exploring a modern elegance, a classic shape which will hold all your necessities whilst still looking sleek and stylish. They're calling it 'streetwise sophistication' and I want one now. I feel that I could really rock streetwise sophistication, I'm thinking a Swagger bag mixed with sportswear, adding heels for some night time glamour.

 

The Coach Swagger Carryall in Pebble Leather, Periwinkle colour (ah adorable name!) is top of my wish list. Right up there with a new apartment to live in and the dream job. That is how much impact this bag is having on my life right now, I've always been a bag enthusiast but it recent years have cut down on my purchasing of high-street bags, opting to wait and save for one of the IT bags, but never quite finding the guts to spend all my hard earned cash in one swoop. But now, I think the time might have come. The cornflower blue (that was my initial colour observation, but Periwinkle has definitely grown on me) is classy, it has the power to transform an outfit because it adds colour to a monochrome look but also it can combine and clash with any colours you wear too. The size of the Carryall looks perfect too, I can fit my Ipad Mini, phone and essentials without looking like I'm lugging a sack around with me. This fresh and vibrant campaign has got one bag lover on side, how about you?

And so, to a brief applause for the Fall 2015 presentation at New York Fashion Week. This was my first glimpse into a Coach show and it was something to behold. Biker boots and shearling jackets, what's not to love about this glam grunge look? Now make sure you go explore the full collection here.

Fall 2015

Spring 2015

All Image credit to http://uk.coach.com/

New York & London Fashion Week Hits

A little visual summary of my fave looks from the New York & London Fashion Week shows. Watching all the gorgeous clothes and spectacular displays make me wish I could be there every step of the way! I shall share a link to my Pinterest boards for you all to have a scroll through my favourite snaps from the front row and the catwalk.

 

NYFW

My key highlights would be; Victoria Beckham - beautiful subtle collection and her adoring family on the front row are just too much! Coach - who couldn't love a glam grunge presentation with biker boots and shearling jackets?

LFW

 

Key highlights from London; Anya Hindmarch and her traffic stopping collection of bags. Giles with a dazzling performance of opulent glamour and drama. Burberry as always hits it out of the park for me, so classic and versatile with romantic colours; burgundy, teal and olive, creating a Sixties bohemia vibe. Topshop Unique, more so than the show itself, Kendall Jenner was the show-stopper and I can't get enough of her front row look; Cornflower blue trousers, white crop and camel coloured coat worn nonchalantly across her shoulders. Divine.

What were your favourite shows? I can't wait to see what Paris has to offer.

ELLE Insider X Jack Wills Spring Lates Event

As an ELLE Insider I had the privilege to attend the Jack Wills event at Covent Garden on Wednesday night. With a look at the latest SS15 collections, some goodies, canapés, drinks and an exclusive Q&A with Richard Nicoll himself.

New creative director of Jack Wills, Richard Nicoll is bringing something new to the quint essentially British brand. You can still expect comfortable lounge wear, logo sweatpants and sweatshirts but the collection is more theme driven with a nod to 90s Brit Pop and the sixties.

During the Q&A with Richard Nicoll we discovered that he is inspired by the youthful optimism and hopes to create an adventurous spirit through the youth culture, with sugary colours representing the 'pop and energy' of the sixties. He is keen on personalising a look, so this season you can collect badges and patches to monogram your fave JW pieces. Another collection favourite is the classic Jack Wills trench coat, updated by injecting a hyper-real bubblegum pink to make the jacket really stand out from the crowd. 

I have mentioned before I am personally fond of the sport luxe look and so I asked Richard where his interest in sports and fashion comes from "I can't really explain why I like it but it's something I've always approached and I like that athletic asthetic, it's something I find very popular in the youth culture, they manage to take a sweatshirt but create modern looks by pairing it with tailored pieces."

We got a brief understanding of where the idea for the shoot location came from "I loved the idea of having this urban backdrop 'a sort of brutalist architecture' against the sugary coloured clothes." For the summer collection we can expect a feeling of a right of passage in 'summer escapism' with a mix of a nautical old school Jack Wills prep look with a more bohemian and organic feel. I can't wait to see the images from the shoot in Cape Town!

As the night came to end, DJ still playing, drinks flowing, I picked out a couple of pieces that I'd had my eye on; the staple grey jersey sweater (remember my sweater obsession... It's continuing) and a classic nautical striped day dress which will be perfect when we get some warmer days.

Thank you ELLE for a fab event hosted by the gorgeous Jack Wills store in Covent Garden, I think I might need one of those chandeliers for my room! 

Dinner Date

On Friday night I consumed some fabulous cocktails and calypso chicken meal at a gorgeous Caribbean restaurant in Camden. This night out gave me the excuse to bust out my fave new accessory, the bright patterned clutch bag. Big enough for all my necessities, but small enough to look cute with any outfit it is the perfect evening bag. I tend to keep my outfits quite plain, blacks and navy, so I like to add colour through accessories. 

Friday night I paired it with high-waisted jeggings and high neck black top, and my life-saver burgundy biker boots. A mix of girly flowers with an edge. Oh and I took the opportunity to wear my Mac 'Ruby Woo' Lippy which does not get enough of an outing!

What would you pair your clutch with?

(a lil valentines loving)

 

Trends to Track

Trends to Track

I have always had an interest in fashion combined with sport. Ever since seeing the Fashion V Sport collection at the V&A back in 2009, I loved how the juxtaposition of a catwalk and the running track could actually work side-by-side. This mood board explores some current collections that are combing catwalk style with sports.

Currently loving the new collection by Jack Wills with the new creative director Richard Nicoll, you can expect to see the classic JW sweatshirts and sweatpants, with a more modern twist with shirts and dresses, alongside a new monograming tool to customise your clothes with JW & London inspired patches. How can I forget about the fabulous new Stellasport collection created by Stella McCartney for Adidas. This younger and more affordable collection is bright, fun and right on trend. Get your trainers and head outside; to the gym or to the office, you can make sports style work for you.

Take a look at my mood board and let me know how you feel about sports style on the catwalk.

Jumper Obsession

I find clothes shopping at the beginning of the year a real challenge. With all stores bursting with colour, floaty skirts, crop tops and sandals, I find it hard to imagine having any skin on show (currently struggling to breathe with my scarf wrapped up around my face.)

For me this time of year is about working the trusty sweatshirt in spring colours and adding accessories. My staple go to look involves a pastel blue sweatshirt (I now have two faves) teamed with a shirt, jeans and boots. What is great about the sweatshirt is that it will take me through the year, it will be worn with shorts when those long summer evenings roll in.

My latest purchase, this super soft sweatshirt from Jack Wills is my wardrobe staple. Under the new creative direction of Richard Nicoll you can expect that the new JW collection has a sportier edge to the classic British aesthetic that is Jack Wills. So really it is a win-win for me; as I'm embracing a new year of actually enjoying fitness I am fully on board with looking good whilst I work out and being able to take my look from the gym class to coffee with friends. Perfect to throw over my gym gear, to cuddle up on the sofa in or wear with a patterned shirt poking through for dinner dates and work, I am hooked on this number and may have to look into purchasing in the grey too.

What's your staple look in these cold weeks at the beginning of a new season? 

 

Available here for £39.50 in Sky Blue, Pale Grey, Pastel Pink